Advocacy

Learn about our legislative priorities and other supported issues and find out more ways to get involved on the Take Action page. Our advocacy work is directed by our member-approved resolutions, principles, and legislative platform.

During the Washington state legislative session, WSPTA will send action alerts and informational broadcasts to WSPTA members who have subscribed to WSPTA’s Action Network Group. These action alerts are quick, easy ways to communicate with your legislators on topics they are actively working on.

SHOW UP TO SPEAK UP

Focus Day: Come to Olympia on Monday, February 11, to meet with legislators about WSPTA-supported issues and let them know what is important to you. Get more details on the Focus Day page.

Advocacy Week: Contact your legislators all week from February 11 through February 15. WSPTA will have a new priority topic every day during Advocacy Week. Sign up for WSPTA’s Action Network Group to participate and to receive legislative session updates.

Legislative Platform

The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list. During the odd-numbered years, members vote to amend current issues or to add new, emerging issues to the also supported list.

Ensure staffing levels in schools are funded to meet student need and to support student learning and well-being;

Increase partnerships with after-school providers and community partners;

Ensure staffing levels meet the needs of students, including but not limited to: psychologists, counselors, family and community engagement coordinators, social workers, speech-language pathologists, behavior specialists and nurses;

Support adoption of the Washington State SEL framework

School Construction and Simple Majority for Bonds

The Washington State PTA shall support legislation or policies that equitably assist districts to fund their capital needs for the 21st century to lower K-3 and Career and Technical Education (CTE) class sizes; and address capacity, growth, modernization, and safety by:

2019 WSPTA Supported Issues

Best Practices for School Meals – Lunch

Modify WAC 392-157-125 “Time for Meals” to define a minimum lunch period for students. Language should be added to specify a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch, after being seated, with additional time scheduled to move through the lunch line;

Promote recess before lunch for elementary students;

Promote healthy and respectful eating environments and discourages practices such as silent lunch.

Fund Paraeducator Training

Fully fund the training requirements for paraeducators mandated by law, including the 28-hour fundamental course of study and the additional 70 hours of professional development required within the first three years of employment.

Submit a Legislative Issue Proposal

HOW TO SUBMIT A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE PROPOSAL

Any PTA member is encouraged to submit an issue that addresses concerns that affect children on a state-wide level.

Timing

Submitter name and contact information, issue title and short description due May 1

Completed issue submittal form due June 1

Issue Submitters’ Requirements:

Must be a current Washington State PTA member

Submit a completed Legislative Issue Proposal Form (available in the spring) by the dates above and include all links/references so the information is verifiable

Be available by email and phone to work with the advocacy committee member assigned to review your issue to provide clarification where needed

Be available during the advocacy committee meeting to answer questions on the issue

In the case where one or more issues submitted are of similar scope, agree to work with others to combine issues

Prepare a 1-page position paper based on the information in this application, if your issue is advanced to the board of directors.

All who submit an issue selected to move forward must sign the Issue Team Code of Conduct

The advocacy committee will review the issues and make recommendations to the board of directors at its summer board meeting. An advocacy committee member will work with you if additional information is required. Following the board meeting, you will be notified if your issue will be forwarded to the members at legislative assembly.

To make sure your issue is represented well at legislative assembly, you will prepare the following:

One Month Prior To Legislative Assembly:

Create a PowerPoint presentation using a template and instructions that will be provided

Submit any handouts you plan to use to the advocacy committee for approval

WSPTA Legislative Assembly:

Attend legislative assembly (or send a representative) to present your issue to attendees, gathering supporters for caucusing and debating during the issue debates

Present your issue to the assembly to encourage adoption to the platform

Develop an action plan on how you will work the issue and engage with other supporters prior to and during the legislative session

Consider methods you will use to communicate with your issue supporters

During the Legislative Session:

Weekly advocacy committee phone calls will address bills and action on the WSPTA issues and long-term positions; you will be invited to participate in these calls

As needed, help prepare testimony, testify in Olympia and recruit other potential leaders to move your issue through the legislative process